Store-by-Store Major Retailer Return Policies for Holiday Shoppers
Published at
Seth Joel/Photographer’s Choice RF(NEW YORK) — The holiday season is coming to an end, leaving many Americans with gifts that may be too big, too small, broken or just not right for them.
According to the National Retail Federation, consumers were expected to spend $586.1 billion on holiday shopping, up 4.1 percent from 2011. Now shoppers and gift recipients may have products that need to be returned to the store and rapidly aging receipts.
Before you stand in a long in-store return line, we compiled a list of return policies for major stores:
Amazon.com: Items shipped by Amazon.com between November 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012, may be returned until January 31, 2013, for a full refund, subject to Amazon’s other return guidelines, which are listed on the website.
Best Buy: Gift purchases made between November 4, 2012, and December 24, 2012, can be returned through January 24, 2013.
Kohl’s: Kohl’s has a hassle-free return policy, which allows customers to return any item at any time. Customers with a receipt are offered full refund and exchanges. Customers with a gift receipt are offered an even exchange or merchandise credit. Customers without a receipt will get a merchandise credit good toward anything in the store. If a customer paid with a Kohl’s charge card or other credit card, Kohl’s can look up the purchase and give a refund or even exchange.
Sam’s Club: Sam’s Club will refund purchases in full with a receipt. Customers without a receipt will be refunded the latest selling price of an item on a shopping card. Electronics such as televisions, computers, projectors, digital music players, cameras and camcorders must be returned within 90 days of the original purchase and with a receipt. Cell phones must be returned within 30 days of the original purchase and with a receipt.
Target: Target requires a receipt for all returns and exchanges and most returns must be made within 90 days. Any exceptions are noted on store shelves and printed on the front of receipts. Target also has a receipt look-up for items purchased using a credit, debit, check or gift card. Items from the Neiman Marcus and Target collaboration must be returned by Jan. 5, 2013.
Walmart: For items that typically have limited returns or exchanges, such as TVs, cameras, computers, DVD and music players, the limited 15-30 day return period will begin Dec. 26 for items purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24. For most items, Walmart accept returns within 90 days after purchase. Walmart gives customers the option of a cash refund (if the purchase was under $25), a shopping card for the amount of the purchase (if it was over $25), a credit to the customer’s credit card (only with receipt) or an even exchange for the product. Walmart will honor any manufacturer’s warranties.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio